City leaders were questioned last week about enforcing the cleanup of neglected properties in Eupora.
Bruce Walters, chair of the Eupora Cleanup Committee, appeared before the Board of Aldermen on Nov. 4. He again asked about a proposed ordinance addressing property maintenance guidelines that was submitted a few months ago.
Regarding cleanup of blighted properties, he said, “We don’t seem to be getting a lot accomplished. … We need an ordinance with some teeth in it.”
Walters has been providing the city attorney with five addresses each month of properties that he contends need to be cleaned up. City Attorney Jacqueline Meek said some property owners have not yet been notified but will be. She also noted that the city does have a blight prevention ordinance in effect similar to the one that was submitted.
Walters asked it the city building inspector, who is Public Works Director Mike McCain, could be given the addresses of blighted properties, visit them on a designated date and give the property owner a copy of the blight/property maintenance ordinance as opposed to Meek sending them a blight notification letter only. Meek later said she would do this if so directed by the board. Mayor Lamar Dumas said he would discuss the matter with McCain and that a follow-up report would be given at the next meeting (Dec. 2).
Issues Challenge
Additionally, Walters challenged the mayor and aldermen themselves to ask people with blighted properties to clean them up. Hugh Gibson (Ward 3) agreed to do so, adding later, “I want to do something to help this city look better.”
Junior Shaw (Ward 1) and Robert Gibbs (Ward 4) agreed that citywide cleanup is needed but said new jobs are important also, specifically referring to the vacant Fred’s building.
Dumas said, “I think everything (beautification/business recruitment) is moving in a positive direction,” but added, “Everything takes time.”
This a list of the properties Walters has submitted thus far that he contends need attention: 473 S. Dunn, 636 S. Dunn, 692 S. Dunn, 94 Autumn Drive, 135 Autumn Drive, 208 Autumn Drive, 105 E. Fox Ave., 1000 Veterans Memorial Blvd., 115 Figgatt Ave., 210 Naron Ave., property on MLK Jr. Drive across from Pop Woodard's, former Sutton residence on Allen Street, 1011 Adams Ave., 1518 Adams Ave. and Rico duplex on Adams Avenue.
Jake’s Recycling,
Waterworks Road
City resident Steve McLemore asked about the Jake’s Recycling lot on East Roane, which has yet to be cleaned up despite repeated promises to do so from owner Jake Rich of Louisville. The board declared the property a public health menace in June. Meek said she could send him a final and third notice. If the Street Department eventually cleans the lot up, the cost will be assessed to the property owner’s taxes.
Additionally, a resident of Waterworks Road addressed the board about trash being thrown out on that street in the area where no houses are located near The Cross of Christ. She said she and her husband had been picking up the litter on weekends.
Dumas said the city would address the situation, and Police Chief Gregg Hunter said people working off court fines might be available to assist the Street Department in picking up trash there.
